Lab diary

Recently, I joined my school as research student. Now, I am affiliated to reproductive science lab, graduate school of bio-agricultural sciences.

Looking back, learning Japanese language in a span of four months was fun as well as pain in the neck. In fact, a good success story for beginner like me.

Since the program was designed like a crash course it helped accelerate my language learning skills. Many tireless efforts and unwilling sacrifices were put into it to keep up with the daily lightning speed lessons. However, at the end it paid off well. At least it doesn’t make me feel alienated now.

from google

On the contrary, working in the lab for past few days had been a different story. At the very start, getting to know about the laboratory life posed a great challenge as everything was brand new. Let alone other tasks even a simple chore like borrowing books could not be performed on my own. I felt naïve and wondered if it was going to perpetuate.

Deprived of guidance, I kept reading all day long often going oblivious of my own purpose in the lab. On few occasions, a sentence or two would go around. That was it. Like working bees, hardly anyone had time.

Soon things started to fall on right track. I was assigned with my lab tutor.

Because professors have tight schedule almost every day- lab tutors are vested with a responsibility to handle the newbies. From general rules of the lab to conducting student practice, they play the role of professors, and often runs errands.

Interestingly, they can be compeers and not necessarily seniors. In the due time, such mutual relationship gradually eases the confusions and working in the lab becomes so much fun. In other sense, there is no need for excess coaching class once the master course begins in full swing.

As we are all put together in the lab- doctoral, master and few final year students, it creates an ideal place for breeding different ideas. Not only does it foster good learning atmosphere but also presents cross cultural exchange opportunities to better understand the diversity of the world. Furthermore, collaborating in team helps to gather all the pieces together and solve the puzzle.

Working in a group comprised of different levels also translates to learning from anyone- PhD or master or final year candidate.

My first lesson came from a final year student. It was about animal duty- changing of beddings, replenishing food and water for the rats and mice. Additionally, she also briefed on the records that has to be maintained in the animal room, and report any emergencies to the staff.

Championing the art of animal duty is essential, perhaps compulsory, because the entire experiment can fail miserably even if a single animal is let loose. So as a member of reproductive science it is indispensable to master the task, especially the animal handling. Most importantly, getting conversant with the rodents behavior allows for the smooth conduct of the practical.

While I remain as an ardent learner today, I pledge to commit with indefatigable stamina and make the best use of finest minds here.